Chamber staff is gearing up for 2017 ¡VIVA San Antonio! In partnership with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we are working to make this day-long trip to Austin the best one yet!
¡VIVA San Antonio! is a biennial legislative advocacy day for business and industry leaders in San Antonio to visit with legislators at the State Capitol. Those who participate put forth a tremendous amount of effort to bring your top business priorities to key legislative decision makers. Our members’ one-on-one meetings with state legislators are what make this event impactful. These meetings potentially contribute to effective policy decisions which help in retaining and attracting new businesses and industry to San Antonio.
This year’s event is scheduled for February 28, 2017 and will be chaired by Eddie Aldrete, Senior Vice President of IBC Bank. Eddie currently serves on multiple local, state and national boards, including The Witte Museum, Bexar County Masters Leadership Program, Texas Bankers Association and the Texas Association of Business, just to name a few. In 2014, the San Antonio Express-News identified him as one of the most influential people of the Alamo City.
Eddie is pleased to serve as the Chamber’s 2017 ¡VIVA San Antonio! Chair and appreciates the impact of our members’ advocacy efforts. "Plato summed up the need for advocacy in a single sentence. 'Get involved in the political process or be governed by those who do.' It's why we must be united, why we must push our agenda, and why we must never give up,", adds Eddie.
VIVA San Antonio! kicks off with a legislative luncheon featuring guest speaker Evan Smith, CEO and co-founder of The Texas Tribune. Chamber and business leaders then disperse by issue teams to afternoon meetings with state legislators to discuss issues that are important to San Antonio. The event concludes with a big Fiesta-themed reception. Under Eddie’s leadership, we have secured a special location for this year’s reception. We are excited to announce that this year’s reception will be hosted at the Governor’s Mansion! This premier historic home has served as the official residence of Texas governors and their families since 1856. Just a short walk from the Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion will be a great venue for attendees to mingle with legislators, staff, and Chamber leadership.
State legislative priorities are developed biennially by Chamber Committees and adopted by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
We hope that you will join us at this year’s ¡VIVA San Antonio! Registration opens this week.
Don't miss the opportunity to sponsor our ¡VIVA San Antonio! Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
For any questions about the VIVA trip, please contact Stephanie Reyes, Vice President of Public affairs, at 210 229 2162.